DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (April 9, 2021) – Consumers have not reported an increase in active gym memberships since September, but the percentage who consider themselves non-members has declined, according to the latest wave of a survey by Irwin Broh Research exploring the shift in consumers’ fitness habits and future purchase behaviors from the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, … Continued
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 30, 2021) – As President Joe Biden signed the PPP Extension Act of 2021 into law, extending the Paycheck Protection Program an additional two months to May 31, 2021, and then providing an additional 30-day period for the SBA to process applications that are still pending, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, … Continued
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 24, 2021) – The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6 months of economic injury with … Continued
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 24, 2021) – The National Retail Federation (NRF) issued its annual forecast, anticipating that retail sales will grow between 6.5 percent and 8.2 percent to more than $4.33 trillion in 2021 as more individuals get vaccinated and the economy reopens. “Despite the continuing health and economic challenges COVID-19 presents, we are very optimistic … Continued
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 22, 2021) – Building on a month of strong results, the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are taking steps with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to further promote equitable relief for America’s mom-and-pop businesses. The latest round of PPP funding opened one month ago and already the Biden Administration has succeeded in making major … Continued
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 10, 2021) – The U.S. Small Business Administration and lenders are taking more strides to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) so small businesses can access much needed PPP funds to persevere through the pandemic, recover, and build back better. The Administration is working with the Agency to increase equitable access to underserved small businesses, to assure … Continued
WASHINGTON, D.C., (January, 29, 2021) — Americans for Free Trade (AFT) sent a letter to the 117th Congress urging lawmakers to resolve ongoing trade disputes and extend section 301 tariff exclusions. More than 165 trade associations, including the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) and National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA) signed the letter, calling on members of Congress to take … Continued
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 26, 2021) – The U.S. Small Business Administration is taking steps to improve the First Draw Paycheck Protection Program loan review so that small businesses have as much time as possible to access much needed PPP funds. The Biden-Harris Administration is focused on ensuring small businesses receive the support they need to keep their doors … Continued
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2020) – The National Retail Federation (NRF), the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and three small-business plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the state of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The lawsuit challenges the COVID-related emergency regulations enacted November 30, which include extensive requirements for employers to exclude potentially large … Continued
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 23, 2020) – With retail sales rebounding strongly because of continued consumer resilience, the National Retail Federation (NRF) forecast that holiday sales during November and December 2020 will increase between 3.6 percent and 5.2 percent over 2019, to a total between $755.3 billion and $766.7 billion. The numbers, which exclude automobile dealers, gasoline … Continued
